Broomfield airport to undergo runway construction through June

Aerial firefighting fleet, Rocky Mountain Airshow will both move to new locations during work

READY FOR REPAIR: Construction will start this week to repair and make improvements to the main runway at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. (David R. Jennings / Broomfield Enterprise)

Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport will start construction on its main runway this week, meaning the airport's popular airshow and aerial firefighting fleet will move new locations.

The runway closure, which starts Tuesday, is meant to accommodate larger and heavier planes and stay up-to-date with safety standards.

Construction will impact two of the airport's operations, including the tanker base that typically responds to wildfires and the airport's annual air show.

The airport's aerial firefighting fleet responds to forest fires, such as the Black Forest Fire, by sending out C-130 air tankers and other planes filled with flame retardant chemicals. Those firefighting operations will temporarily move to the Fort Collins-Loveland Airport during runway construction.

The airport also will not host the annual Rocky Mountain Airshow this year, which typically draws about 60,000 visitors over the summer to see performances and flyovers from aircraft, such as World War II-era planes, hot air balloons and stunt planes.

Airshow enthusiasts will have to drive to the Greeley-Weld County Airport to catch the show on Aug. 22 and 23, according to the airshow's website.

Rocky Mountain Metro Airport will spend about $9 million to revamp its main 9,000- foot runway.

The runway, known as known as the 11L-29R, will be closed through June 23.

"The pavement is worn and shows signs of stress," a news release from the airport stated.

Flights will use a shorter 7,000-foot runway during construction.

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Typical runways get overlay work every 20 or so years, depending on their condition and how often they are used. The 11L-29R runway was last repaved in 1994, said Brett Miller, operations manager at the airport.

Crews also will also pave the runway's shoulders, reposition and upgrade electrical facilities and lighting and bring the airfield's signs up to current standards.

Ninety percent of the project is being funded by Federal Aviation Administration airport improvement money, with 5 percent coming from the Colorado Department of Transportation and another 5 percent from Jefferson County, according to the news release.

The airport does not receive general tax revenue from the county.

The construction will increase runway weight bearing capacity from 75,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds, which will make it easier to accommodate different types of planes, Miller said.

The airport sees about 120,000 takeoffs and landings each year.

The airport also plans to upgrade another of its runways in 2016, Miller said.